Michael Hough - SCAD Teaching Demo

Vocabulary - Additional resources - Sound design challenge - film examples

Key Vocabulary

· Diegetic Sound

o Sound that is experienced by both the audience and the characters in the story

· Non-Diegetic Sound

o Sound that is only experienced by the audience

· Voice Over (VO)

o Non-diegetic dialog that provides context on depth to a story or offers a look at the inner thinking of a character

· Off-Screen Dialog (OS)

o Diegetic dialog that is not synced to a character on screen.

· Automated Dialog Replacement (ADR)

o AKA “Dubbing”, is the technique of replacing the dialog and performance after capture.

· Sync Dialog (On-set/SOT)

o Dialog that is recorded during the actor’s performance

· AAF –

o Advanced Authoring Format is the standard protocol for sound file delivery from an NLE.

· iZotope RX –

o Industry standard dialog processing platform

· iZotope Neutron –

o Mixing plugin

· iZotope Insight –

o Loudness metering plugin

· EQ –

o Adjusting the gain according to a selected frequency range

· Compression –

o Method for managing the dynamic range and loudness of a signal

· Leveler –

o RX tool used to reduce the dynamic range of a sound file

· Noise Reduction –

o The technique of reducing the unwanted sonic information while enhancing the key audio.

· High pass –

o An EQ technique that cuts low frequencies while leaving the high frequencies unchanged

· DAW –

o Digital Audio Workstation refers to the platform used for managing, editing, and recording sound digitally. Common versions are AVID ProTools and Steinberg Nuendo.

· Integrated Loudness –

o A measurement of loudness over time that is used to maintain a broadcast standard.

· Foley

o Sound effects that are created or edited to articulate movement of everyday objects and clothing. These sound are often recorded while viewing playback.

· Hard Effects

o Sounds that are made to enhance specific actions in a scene. These sounds are usually created/recorded outside of the studio and later edited to picture.

· Background Effects (BGs)

o Continuous, ambient, looping sounds that create a sense of place. Atmosphere & Setting. Establishes the location and makes the world feel alive. Rain, wind, forest insects, city traffic hum, crowd murmur (walla).

· Designed Effects

o Effects Often abstract, processed, or created sounds that are more stylistic. Emotional Impact & Style. Creates a mood, emphasizes a supernatural element, or represents something internal (like a character's fear). A monster's roar, a magical spell, a surreal dream sequence transition, a tense rising drone.

· Spotting Session

o A chance to understand the directors vision for the film and any specific requests or ideas they may have. Also, a time for the designer to present their initial thoughts and ideas to the director.

· Interlock Session(s)

o The time for the designer to present their work to the director and to receive feedback

· Mix Session

o The time to work with the filmmakers to balance all of the sound elements in a way that suits their vision or brief

· Final Mix Session

o Present the final work to the filmmakers and make the final adjustments before “re-recording”.

Sound Design Challenge

Design Brief

Lulu Lemon’s new golf pants bring performance and comfort to every environment.

The Design Problem

How can you use sound design to:

Highlight the various environments
Give texture and weight to the action
Communicate the high level of quality and flexibility in the pants

The Reference Video

Films:

SCAD Demo